Zayn Malik leaving One Direction - CNN.com Zayn Malik leaving One Direction By Todd Leopold , CNN Updated 3:01 PM ET, Thu March 26, 2015 Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds. Photos: OMG, boy bands *NSYNC – *NSYNC members Lance Bass, Chris Kirkpatrick, Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez and Joey Fatone struck gold in the United States with "I Want You Back" in 1998. Before they broke up in 2002, the group established a mega fan base with songs like "No Strings Attached" and "Bye, Bye, Bye." Although they're not together anymore, *NSYNC is as popular as ever; you should've heard the shrieking their reunion at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards caused. Hide Caption 1 of 17 Photos: OMG, boy bands One Direction has become one of the world's most successful groups. Fans adore Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson. In October, the group broke a chart record held by the Beatles before heading on a hiatus in December.

Hide Caption 2 of 17 Photos: OMG, boy bands Backstreet Boys – In 1996, the Backstreet Boys released their debut album, "Backstreet's Back." "Millennium," "Black & Blue," "Never Gone," "Unbreakable" and "This Is Us" followed. After parting with the group years ago, Kevin Richardson (second from left) rejoined A.J. McLean, Howie Dorough, Nick Carter and Brian Littrell. In March, they confirmed that they would be doing a limited Vegas residency as well as a new album and tour. Here are some other boy bands to scream over. Hide Caption 3 of 17 Photos: OMG, boy bands 5 Seconds of Summer – Luke Hemmings, Michael Clifford, Calum Hood and Ashton Irwin met in the Western Sydney suburbs and played their first gig as 5 Seconds of Summer at a Sydney hotel in 2011. They grew their fan base by posting videos on YouTube, and soon enough, they were opening for One Direction. Their self-titled debut album was released in 2014 and debuted at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard chart.

Hide Caption 4 of 17 Photos: OMG, boy bands Westlife – Though they never made it big in the U.S., boy band Westlife was a huge hit in their native Ireland. They'd sold more than 50 million copies of their albums worldwide by the time they disbanded in 2012. Hide Caption 5 of 17 Photos: OMG, boy bands Boyzone – Sometimes considered the original Irish boy band, Boyzone was founded in 1993 and won many BRIT and Europe Music Awards. Hide Caption 6 of 17 Photos: OMG, boy bands New Kids on the Block – Danny Wood, Donnie Wahlberg, Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre and Jonathan Knight of New Kids on the Block perform live in 2008. The group, which rose to superstardom in the late '80s and early '90s, reunited for 2008's "The Block" and 2011's "NKOTBSB" with the Backstreet Boys. The Kids released their box set "10" in 2013.

Hide Caption 7 of 17 Photos: OMG, boy bands New Edition – Ralph Tresvant, Michael Bivins, Ronnie DeVoe, Ricky Bell, Bobby Brown and Johnny Gill of New Edition perform an homage to Michael Jackson during the 2009 BET Awards. The R&B group's albums include 1983's "Candy Girl" and 1988's "Heart Break," among others. Hide Caption 8 of 17 Photos: OMG, boy bands 98 Degrees – 98 Degrees perform in 1999, made up of brothers Nick and Drew Lachey, Justin Jeffre and Jeff Timmons. The group released three albums, in addition to one Christmas album, between 1997 and 2000. Their latest album, "2.0," arrived in 2013. Hide Caption 9 of 17 Photos: OMG, boy bands Hanson – Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson of Hanson perform in 2001.

The brothers became superstars with their 1997 album "Middle of Nowhere" thanks to a little earworm called "MMMBop." Hide Caption 10 of 17 Photos: OMG, boy bands The Wanted – The Wanted released their self-titled debut album in 2010, and by 2012 their song "Glad You Came" was inescapable. Jay McGuiness, Nathan Sykes, Max George, Siva Kaneswaran and Tom Parker, here after receiving a 2013 People's Choice award, are repped by Justin Bieber's manager Scooter Braun, so they know a thing or two about heartthrobbing. The group has appeared on TV in the E! reality show "The Wanted Life," and their album "Word of Mouth" was released in September 2013. Hide Caption 11 of 17 Photos: OMG, boy bands Menudo – Menudo performs in 2008. Originally formed in the '70s, they helped launch Ricky Martin's career. The boy band has had many members over the years.

Hide Caption 12 of 17 Photos: OMG, boy bands 2gether – The made-for-TV boy band 2gether debuted on MTV in 2000. Shown here at the 2000 MTV Movie Awards, the guys attracted attention with songs like "U + Me = Us (Calculus)" and "Say It (Don't Spray It)." "2ge+her: The Series" followed the original TV movie, but ended in 2001 when member Michael Cuccione died of cancer. In November 2011 , Alex Solowitz, Evan Farmer, Noah Bastian and Kevin Farley said they were looking to reunite the band. Hide Caption 13 of 17 Photos: OMG, boy bands The Boys – The Boys released three albums between 1988 and 1992. "Dial My Heart" was the debut single from brothers Khiry, Hakim, Tajh and Bilal Abdulsamad.

Hide Caption 14 of 17 Photos: OMG, boy bands O-Town – Erik-Michael Estrada, Jacob Underwood, Trevor Penick, Dan Miller and Ashley Parker Angel of the group O-Town perform in 2002. The group, which came to be thanks to the first season of MTV's "Making the Band," is perhaps best known for the single "Liquid Dreams" in 2000. Hide Caption 15 of 17 Photos: OMG, boy bands LFO – Lyte Funky Ones, also known as LFO, released their first album in 1999.

Made up of Rich Cronin, Devin Lima and Brad Fischetti, the boy band referenced New Kids on the Block and gave a shout out to girls who wear Abercrombie & Fitch on their single "Summer Girls." Hide Caption 16 of 17 Photos: OMG, boy bands The Monkees – Davy Jones, Peter Tork, Mickey Dolenz and Michael Nesmith of The Monkees, the band created for the 1960s TV series of the same name, won the hearts of fans with hits like "I'm a Believer," "Pleasant Valley Sunday" and "Daydream Believer." Hide Caption Zayn Malik Leaves One Direction: Read His Official Statement and Get Details on the Boy Band's Future! | E! News Press Enter to Search BREAKING! Zayn Malik Leaves One Direction: Read His Official Statement and Get Details on the Boy Band's Future! By One Direction and Zayn Malik are headed in different directions. Malik announced that he is leaving the group via the boy band's official Facebook Wednesday afternoon. "My life with One Direction has been more than I could ever have imagined.

But, after five years, I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band. I'd like to apologize to the fans if I've let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart. I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight," he said. Calling Niall Horan , Liam Payne , Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson his "four friends for life," Malik added, "I know they will continue to be the best band in the world." Horan, Payne, Styles and Tomlinson will continue as a four-piece band and said they will honor their remaining world tour dates. The quartet will also record their fifth album, "due to be released later this year," without Malik's involvement. "We're really sad to see Zayn go, but we totally respect his decision and send him all our love for the future. The past five years have been beyond amazing, we've gone through so much together, so we will always be friends. The four of us will now continue," the four singers said in a statement.

"We're looking forward to recording the new album and seeing all the fans on the next stage of the world tour." VIDEO: Who makes One Direction nervous? Simon Cowell , who formed the group on The X Factor in 2010, also issued a statement. "I would like to say thank you to Zayn for everything he has done for One Direction. Since I first met Zayn in 2010, I have grown very, very fond—and immensely proud—of him. I have seen him grow in confidence and I am truly sorry to see him leave. As for One Direction, fans can rest assured that Niall, Liam, Harry and Louis are hugely excited about the future of the band." Less than a week ago, Malik announced he would not be performing with the group in Manila and Jakarta. After being "signed off with stress," he returned home to England. He was expected to return for 1D's March 28 performance in Johannesburg, South Africa. The "What Makes You Beautiful" singer's exit occurred just after he was accused of cheating on his fiancée Perrie Edwards . The pop star denied the rumors on Wednesday, tweeting, "I'm 22 years old...

I love a girl named Perrie Edwards. And there's a lot of jealous f--ks in this world I'm sorry for what it looks like." NEWS: Was Liam Payne involved in a nude photo scandal? Still, even the idea that he'd cheat on the Little Mix singer was a hard pill to swallow. "He is completely in love with Perrie" a source told E! News . "What happened in Thailand was completely blown out of proportion." "He is just a kid. He wants to make music, but the spotlight that comes with it is hard," an insider says of the "Kiss You" singer. "Fame is kind of catching up with all if them. It's been a grueling and intense few years and it's having a snowball effect now. Zayn would be happy with a low-key life. He has a problem with the fame—he doesn't handle the attention very well, and every so often he has a little wobble." Brazil E! Is Everywhere This content is available customized for our international audience. Would you like to view this in our US edition? E! Is Everywhere This content is available customized for our international audience. Would you like to view this in our Canadian edition? E!

Is Everywhere This content is available customized for our international audience. Would you like to view this in our UK edition? E! Is Everywhere This content is available customized for our international audience. Would you like to view this in our Australian edition? E! ist überall Dieser Inhalt ist für internationale Besucher verfügbar. Möchtest du ihn in der deutschen Version anschauen? E! Is Everywhere This content is available customized for our international audience. Would you like to view this in our German edition? E! est partout Une version adaptée de ce contenu est disponible pour notre public international. Souhaitez-vous voir ça dans notre édition française ? E! Is Everywhere This content is available customized for our international audience. Would you like to view this in our French edition? Yes!

Zayn Malik Squashes Rumors: The 'One Direction' Singer Did NOT Leave Band For Perrie Edwards : HOT GOSSIP : Beauty World News email Get the Most Popular Beauty World News Stories in a Weekly Newsletter Zayn Malik has consistently made headlines regarding his departure from pop group One Direction in May, however, despite a mix of reports suggesting the real reason behind why Malik abruptly left the group mid-tour, One Direction's songwriter, Jamie Scott, is shedding some light on why he believes Malik decided to call it quits with the internationally famous band. Related Articles Zayn Malik On One Direction Exit: ‘I Feel Good’ International Business Times reports that in a new interview with Mirror UK , Scott revealed that Malik decided to leave due to exhaustion , as previously reported by the group in an official statement, and not because of fiancée Perrie Edwards, as other reports have suggested. "Zayn went because he'd had enough. Have you ever been on the road for four years? These guys aren't at home...There is no way the same thing is going to run through all five guys, that they're all going to want to be on the road so much together," he admitted.

Scott also denied rumors that suggested Malik and the remaining members of One Direction, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson, were at a standoff with their friendship. While the group did reveal in their first television interview that they were initially "angry" and ultimately "disappointed" in Malik's decision to leave, they insisted that they all remain friendly after he left. The songwriter also insisted that while fans and the media believe Malik's exit was "complicated and [had] secret reasons," he ensured that Malik's statement in which he said he simply wanted to be a "normal 22-year-old" was the true reason for his surprising departure. Currently, Malik is reportedly working on a solo venture alongside producer Naughty Boy, who famously feuded with Tomlinson via Twitter regarding the mishandling of Malik's solo career news, however, neither Malik nor Naughty Boy have confirmed official dates regarding the release of new music. Malik is also spending time with fiancée Edwards as they continue to plan for their upcoming nuptials. What do you think of Jamie Scott's revelation about Zayn Malik's departure from One Direction? This article was originally published on Fashion & Style .

Like Us on Facebook Zayn Malik Leaves One Direction For Good (UPDATE) | The Huffington Post Zayn Malik Leaves One Direction For Good (UPDATE) 03/25/2015 12:42 pm ET | Updated Mar 26, 2015 2.1k Jessica Goodman Entertainment Editor, The Huffington Post UPDATE: The other members of One Direction tweeted sentiments hours after the band announced Zayn Malik would leave One Direction. It had been a trying day. All the love as always. H — Harry Styles. (@Harry_Styles) March 26, 2015 So glad to be in bed after a long and strange 24 hours — Liam (@Real_Liam_Payne) March 26, 2015 Louis Tomlinson promised the group's next album would be their best: Been a crazy couple of days but know that we are going to work harder than ever to deliver the best album we've ever made for you guys ! — Louis Tomlinson (@Louis_Tomlinson) March 26, 2015 Your support has been incredible , truly incredible so thank you so much !

— Louis Tomlinson (@Louis_Tomlinson) March 26, 2015 Been a mad few days and your support has been incredible as per usual ! This in turn Spurs us on to make the best music we possibly can — Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) March 26, 2015 EARLIER: Zayn Malik is leaving One Direction, the band announced via Facebook on Wednesday. The news comes a week after Malik decided to ditch the group's tour, citing "stress." The announcement noted that One Direction would continue touring and recording without him, and included a comment from Simon Cowell, who helped form the band in 2010 via the British show "The X-Factor." "I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight," Malik wrote in the post . "I know I have four friends for life in Louis, Liam, Harry and Niall. I know they will continue to be the best band in the world." Read the whole statement: After five incredible years Zayn Malik has decided to leave OneDirection.

Niall, Harry, Liam and Louis will continue as... Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images Madame Tussaud's probably won't miss it, and who would notice? It's such a perfect replica! 2 Sinitta David M. Benett/Getty Images Sinitta seems to be doing the rounds on various celeb reality shows, so we think it'd be a good way to reclaim her career by getting in on the 1D action! 3 Matt Cardle The poor guy could do with a bit of success... 4 Nick Clegg Bloomberg via Getty Images He won't have a job soon, so Clegg is obviously the perfect candidate to fly out and fill in for Zayn. By the time the general election is over, the Lib Dem leader will probably need some time away, and what better place that on tour with One Direction? 5 Steve Brookstein Andy Sheppard/Redferns Our first ever X Factor winner must be a bit jealous of the Direction boys' fame, after falling completely out of the limelight within months of winning the show's first edition in 2004. It's even obvious in his latest album title, 'Forgotten Man', which failed to reach any charts. Ouch.

6 Jeremy Clarkson Ian West/PA Archive/Neil Mockford/Alex Huckle/Getty Images Well, he's not very busy at the moment... Clarkson has been in a state of job limbo since the "fracas" that led to his suspension from 'Top Gear'. We'd certainly like to see him try to compete with Harry on stage. 7 David Tennant Todd Williamson/Invision/AP With Broadchurch finished for another season, the loveable Scot could do with an interim gig. We think he'd fit in perfectly with 1D. Rumour has it, he's not a bad singer. One Direction's Zayn Malik Officially Leaves Group | Billboard One Direction's Zayn Malik Officially Leaves Group COMMENTS Kevin Mazur/OneD/Getty Images Zayn Malik of One Direction performs onstage during the "Where We Are" tour at Met Life Stadium on August 4, 2014 in New York City. Zayn Malik has officially left One Direction .

The band made the announcement on their Facebook account on March 25, one week after he made headlines for leaving their current tour due to "stress." The band notes they will continue on as a "four-piece." You can read the full statements, including a statement from Malik, below. "After five incredible years Zayn Malik has decided to leave One Direction. Niall, Harry, Liam and Louis will continue as a four-piece and look forward to the forthcoming concerts of their world tour and recording their fifth album, due to be released later this year." One Direction Members Ranked From Worst to Best Zayn added, "My life with One Direction has been more than I could ever have imagined. But, after five years, I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band. I'd like to apologise to the fans if I've let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart. I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight. I know I have four friends for life in Louis, Liam, Harry and Niall.

I know they will continue to be the best band in the world." One Direction's Top 10 Biggest Billboard Hits One Direction released their own statement: "We're really sad to see Zayn go, but we totallyrespect his decision and send him all our love for the future. The past five years have been beyond amazing, we've gone through so much together, so we will always be friends. The four of us will now continue. We're looking forward to recording the new album and seeing all the fans on the next stage of the world tour." From Single to Engaged: Here's Our One Direction Romance Report Card As did Simon Cowell, who discovered the band on X Factor UK. "I would like to say thank you to Zayn for everything he has done for One Direction," he said in a statement. "Since I first met Zayn in 2010, I have grown very, very fond - and immensely proud - of him. I have seen him grow in confidence and I am truly sorry to see him leave.

As for One Direction, fans can rest assured that Niall, Liam, Harry and Louis are hugely excited about the future of the band." Zayn Malik Leaving One Direction After Tour, Consulting Lawyers - Hollywood Life 60 Photos Oh, no! The news just keeps getting worse, Directioners. A new report claims that Zayn Malik is DONE with One Direction — and now he’s exploring his legal options to get out of the group. Zayn Malik , 22, might be headed in a new direction without his mates, Harry Styles , Louis Tomlinson , Niall Horan , and Liam Payne . If this new report about the “stressed” One Direction singer, he’s exploring his options to get out of the group permanently. Ugh! Zayn Malik Leaving One Direction For Good — Report This is heartbreaking to hear, especially for those of you diehard Directioners who are rooting for Zayn to return to the group on March 28. Now, he might never return! “At the moment he’s convinced he wants out. He is finding it all too much and wants to quit the group,” a source close to Zayn told the Daily Star in a shocking interview.

Zayn Malik Officially Leaves One Direction: Apologizes To Fans “His legal team is seeing what the situation is. There is a strong chance he will have to fulfil his commitments and he might change his mind once he’s had time away from the spotlight,” the source continued. “But as it stands he’s not keen to continue.” Did Zayn Leaving 1D’s Tour Piss Off Simon Cowell? It feels safe to assume that Zayn’s recent troubles causing him to abandon the band during the world tour would really upset their mentor, Simon Cowell , doesn’t it? Interestingly enough, that is simply not the case. Zayn Malik Abandons One Direction Tour — Is Simon Cowell Furious? “Simon has had his own run-ins with what Zayn is dealing with and has told Zayn to be the man he is and own it,” a source close to the situation tells HollywoodLife.com EXCLUSIVELY. “Simon is confident that Zayn is OK and will be OK after taking some time off.

He knows that the band are all brothers and they will not break up and are there for him as well.” Zayn Malik Feared He Would Die If He Hadn’t Quit One Direction Well, it’s definitely nice to hear that Zayn still has his team standing behind him. Hopefully Simon isn’t too upset when he hears the reports that Zayn wants out of the group for good. Tell us, HollywoodLifers — Do YOU think Zayn is definitely leaving the group? Would you still be a 1D fan without — Lauren Cox Zayn Malik has left One Direction, band confirms | Music | The Guardian One Direction Zayn Malik has left One Direction, band confirms ‘I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight,’ says the singer One Direction confirmed that Zayn Malik has left the band.

Photograph: Rex Wednesday 25 March 2015 16.32 EDT First published on Wednesday 25 March 2015 12.53 EDT Close This article is 1 year old It has prompted nightmares for teenagers across the world – even though many of us knew this day would come eventually. Zayn Malik has confirmed he will be the first member to leave One Direction after five years with the band, citing a desire “to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time”. In a heartfelt statement apologising to his millions of fans around the world, Malik said he was doing “what feels right in my heart”. Zayn Malik quits One Direction leaving social media to wipe away fans' tears Read more “My life with One Direction has been more than I could ever have imagined. But, after five years, I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band. I’d like to apologise to the fans if I’ve let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart.

“I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight. “I know I have four friends for life in Louis, Liam, Harry and Niall. I know they will continue to be the best band in the world.” Fans first feared Malik might leave the pop group last week after a spokesperson said he was signed off the tour in Asia owing to “stress”. It followed a week in which Malik was forced to publicly apologised to his fiancée – Little Mix ’s Perrie Edwards – after he was pictured holding hands with another woman while in Thailand. ”I’m 22 years old” Malik wrote on Twitter. “I love a girl named Perrie Edwards. And there’s a lot of jealous fucks in this world I’m sorry for what it looks like x.’ Zayn Malik 'signed off' One Direction world tour to recover from stress Read more Malik’s squeaky clean image was also tainted by an incident last year after a video of him and bandmate Louis Tomlinson smoking cannabis and joking about drugs while on tour in Peru was posted online.

Both were this week ordered to lodge a £3,000 bond with the government of the Philippines, which would be forfeited if they used or promoted the use of drugs during a scheduled show in Manila. In the past, Malik has spoken about how difficult he found life on the road, telling one interviewer in 2012: “It’s really been hard. Last weekend was the first time in six months that I’ve been home.” In a statement, the rest of the band said that they “totally respect his decision” to leave, and “send him all our love for the future”. The One Direction statements taking over the internet, translated (for adults) Read more “The past five years have been beyond amazing, we’ve gone through so much together, so we will always be friends,” it read. “The four of us will now continue. We’re looking forward to recording the new album and seeing all the fans on the next stage of the world tour.” Simon Cowell, founder of the band’s management company, Syco, and the man responsible for the group’s formation on the X Factor in 2010 , thanked Malik “for everything he has done for One Direction”.

However, he was also keen to emphasise that the band – the only group to have topped the US charts with four consecutive albums – would remain together, continue to tour and finish their album. Cowell said: “Since I first met Zayn in 2010, I have grown very, very fond – and immensely proud – of him. I have seen him grow in confidence and I am truly sorry to see him leave. As for One Direction, fans can rest assured that Niall, Liam, Harry and Louis are hugely excited about the future of the band.” One Direction are scheduled to perform in Jakarta on 25 March, before they embark on the rest of their world tour throughout the year, culminating in a series of shows at the O2 Arena, London. The question on everyone’s lips, however, is whether the band can survive the dramatic departure of one of their manufactured brotherhood. Brace yourselves, pop fans: it’s curtains for One Direction’s Zayn Read more History does not offer a reassuring precedent for the band’s survival now they are one man down.

Take That survived for just a year after Robbie Williams left in 1995 , and 5ive also split shortly after Sean Conlon left in 2001. It took just weeks for Busted to implode after the departure of Charlie Simpson in 2005 while Westlife managed to continue until 2012 after losing Brian McFadden in 2004 . However, while Malik is much loved by teens across the world, he is not the most popular member of One Direction – at least by today’s social media standards. He has the fewest Twitter followers, with just 14.2m compared with Harry Styles’ 24.1, and is also the least popular on Instagram, and in a recent Guardian interview , Malik was described as “the Mysterious One” in the band. Nonetheless, the five members have gone to to become the richest boyband in British history, with a combined fortune of over £70m and a multi-million pound merchandising empire that includes everything from clothing, perfume and two documentaries , and it is unclear whether Malik’s departure will cause any lasting commercial damage.

Pinterest Zayn Malik and the group’s first ever interview Certainly, the bookies are not optimistic for One Direction’s survival. Even before Malik made his departure official on Wednesday, betting agency Coral had slashed the odds of One Direction splitting up to 6-1 and have since stopped taking bets on the subject altogether they consider it so likely. “We took a rush of bets in the space of hours last Friday which instantly set alarm bells ringing. The band say they are staying together, but we’re not convinced so we will keep the betting closed for now,” said Coral spokeswoman Nicola McGeady. They are, however, taking bets on Malik pursuing a solo career, quoting odds of 3-1 that he has a UK number one single this year. Zayn Malik Quits One Direction: What It Means For the World’s Biggest Pop Group - The Daily Beast TWO DIRECTIONS Zayn Malik Quits One Direction: What It Means For the World’s Biggest Pop Group It was announced on Wednesday that Zayn Malik, the Palestinian-supporting, joint-puffing pop star, would be leaving One Direction. Can the boy band survive?

03.25.15 6:36 PM ET It’s a dark day for One Direction fans. The boy band announced on Facebook that heartthrob Zayn Malik will be leaving the group. This news comes almost a week after Malik pulled out of One Direction’s tour , with their publicist citing “stress” as the key factor for the decision. One Direction announced on its Facebook page that it will continue on as a four-piece, and the post was accompanied by a message from Malik that read: “My life with One Direction has been more than I could ever have imagined. But, after five years, I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band,” he said in the statement. “I’d like to apologise to the fans if I’ve let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart. I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight. I know I have four friends for life in Louis, Liam, Harry and Niall.

I know they will continue to be the best band in the world.” Although the British boy band only finished in third place on the British singing competition The X Factor, One Direction has become one of music’s biggest powerhouses in recent years. Their single “What Makes You Beautiful” dominated the radio waves in 2011, they sell out arenas around the world, and just last year, they became the first group in the history of the Billboard charts to have their first four albums debut at No. 1. The Brit’s pack of rabid fans have also had the pleasure of watching the boys transition from boyish-adorableness to their current smoldering image replete with facial scruff and tattoos. This isn’t the first time that Malik has made headlines. The 22-year-old British Pakistani, who was raised in the Muslim faith, found himself on the receiving end of death threats after being vocal about his political beliefs regarding the Israeli-Palestine conflict. In July 2014, he tweeted “#FreePalestine” and kept it up even after tons of angry responses from his fans in Israel.

If that weren’t enough, The Daily Show came under fire last fall when they jokingly accused the group of being a terrorist organization. Many in the Twitterverse felt it was a reference Malik’s Muslim faith, and flooded the social media network with tweets bearing the hashtag #DailyShowGoneTooFar. He’s also faced some more minor controversies. Malik received criticism after a video of him smoking a joint surfaced. When he didn’t show up to One Direction’s appearance on the Today show, host Matt Lauer decided to pry (as is his wont) about his substance usage. Bandmate Liam Payne blamed Malik’s absence on him being sick and Malik later expressed his anger about Lauer’s questions. There were also recent, unsubstantiated rumors of him cheating on his fiance , which could have played a role in his stress and departure from the group. One Direction’s Facebook post explains that the show must go on, with the four remaining men finishing out the current world tour and recording their fifth album. But what does Malik’s departure mean for 1D’s future? It’s unclear if a boy band can survive without a core member, especially one as big as Malik.

The Los Angeles Times noted that Malik had “the best vocal chops of the group.” He also was GQ’s best-dressed man of 2013 . And although the Backstreet Boys had a member leave, it was way after their pop music heyday. Destiny’s Child also survived after their first member left the group, but there’s no clear Beyoncé in One Direction doing the heavy lifting. Perhaps this is Malik’s opportunity to launch a solo career, a la Justin Timberlake—he definitely has the singing ability and edgy image to do so. Over the years, Malik’s musical stylings have angled more towards the urban variety than pop with his sultry riffs . A rebrand doesn’t seem impossible for the young artist (perhaps a surprise collab with someone like Drake?). Zayn Malik Left One Direction 100 Days Ago| Billboard | Billboard COMMENTS Where do broken hearts go? The term "first hundred days" as a popular concept was reportedly first coined in a July 24, 1933 radio address by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Since then, it has become a common political check-in point after big changes take place.

So, when you think about, we couldn't really not check in 100 days after Zayn Malik announced he would be leaving One Direction . Below, explore our breakdown on all the highlights that have happened in the first 100 days since Z-Day. (The 100 day marker officially hits Friday, July 3.) To understand where we're going, we must acknowledge where we've been. March 25, 2015 Where were you when you found out that One Direction was breaking up? Who do you turn to when you find out the world as you and your niece know it is over? What do you do if you just bought nonrefundable tickets to see "On The Road Again" specifically so you could see Malik's brooding vibe in person, hypothetically speaking? The direct words, from Malik himself : "My life with One Direction has been more than I could ever have imagined. But, after five years, I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band. I'd like to apologise to the fans if I've let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart.

I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight. I know I have four friends for life in Louis, Liam, Harry and Niall. I know they will continue to be the best band in the world." I AM LITERALLY SOBBING ZAYN WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS COME BACK PLEASE IT WILL NEVER EVER BE THE SAME -- #1 tyler posey stan (@lwtropical) March 25, 2015 March 27, 2015 Zayn gives his first interview since announcing his departure to The Sun. "I did try to do something that I wasn't happy doing for a while, for the sake of maybe other's people's happiness," he explained, re-breaking hearts all over the world with one statement. "And that was mainly the fans. I only ever tried to do it for the fans. I'm only upset [because] I feel like I may have let them down in some sort of way." March 29, 2015 One Direction plays first concert since Zayn-gate.

The guys don't mention Zayn by name at all, but Liam cried and briefly left the stage. I'm guessing the crowd of 95,000 fans knew exactly where he was coming from. March 30, 2015 Is Zayn trying to give everyone whiplash? Less than a week after announcing he was leaving the band EFFECTIVE IMMEADIATELY his first solo demo , "I Won't Mind," hits the Internet. This all feels real now, and it's too much . April 4, 2015 Speaking to The Sun, the remaining members of 1D weigh in on the future of the band. "It's been a tough few weeks, probably the toughest since the band was formed five years ago," Liam said in the understatement of the year. "We're gutted that Zayn chose to leave, but now after a few performances as a four-piece, we're feeling confident and are determined to carry on stronger than ever." April 13, 2015 On One Direction's management site, the band photo changes to a pic of the foursome, but Zayn's shadow looms -- literally .

Upon closer reflection, it's clear it is actually an old picture and Zayn has just been photoshopped out, but the ghost of his image remains (in print and in our hearts). April 17, 2015 Zayn makes his first appearance as a solo artist, sporting a post-breakup shaved head at the Asian Awards, where he was being honored for Outstanding Achievement in Enraging Twitter Music. "I'd also like to take this moment to thank four of the best guys that I ever met whilst being in the band and doing all the amazing things that I did. Some of the things that we did will stay with me for the rest of my life," Malik said during his acceptance speech. "Here's to the future." April 20, 2015 One Direction: This Is Us director Morgan Spurlock thinks Harry Styles will be next to leave . Rude! (and probably true...). Lance Bass also thinks that, and he was in a boy band and didn't leave, so he probably knows the warning signs when one is about to get ditched.

April 27, 2015 Liam Payne says 1D's upcoming new album will be different from their teen-pop roots. "The albums coming together really well actually. The boys we've been writing with have come up with some great, great songs that are kind of like a bit Oasis -y almost which is ace," he shared. "I love that." A thing I loved was when One Direction had five members. May 1, 2015 Zayn Malik changes his Twitter and removed 1D from his handle. Fans don't handle -- it's important to laugh in these trying times -- it well, immediately getting #YouWillAlwaysBeZaynMalik1D trending worldwide. May 6, 2015 One of the saddest aspects of the band breakup has been watching the guys go through the five stage of grief via social media -- and for a while, it seemed like Louis and Zayn were stuck in the anger stage. The two had a Twitter spat regarding Zayn's new music buddy Naughty Boy, who didn't help the situation by taunting Louis.

May 14, 2015 The foursome make their first late-night appearance since the split, sitting down with pal James Corden in the U.S and addressing the news of the past several weeks head on. "It's like anything, at first we were a little bit angry," Liam shared. "Obviously we were surprised, but I think we all knew the general vibe Zayn was feeling." Louis also commented on his "feud" with Zayn, saying that they had worked it all out and were buds again THANK GOD. May 17, 2015 One Direction hit the Billboard Music Awards. The group is doing fine, breezy even. They thank their "brother Zayn" in an acceptance speech , and Harry even managed to publicly grab Niall's crotch, something you certainly don't do if you're still platonically missing another dude. June 6, 2015 Zayn Malik's hair is green now . June 10, 2015 JK now it's white . Perrie Edwards, you need to do something.

June 15, 2015 Zayn covers Rae Sremmurd's 'No Type," it leaks, and fans freak out -- but there's drama behind the scenes with collaborator Mic Righteous, who claims he released the track himself because he wasn't being treated fairly by Zayn and Naughty Boy. Mic Righteous also claims that the 1D contract doesn't allow Zayn to release solo music until 2017 , which is a highly distressing turn of events. Fans must now grapple with the fact that it's possible for no Zayn in 1D AND they might not get him by himself for a few years either. June 27, 2015 One Direction wrap the European leg of their "On The Road Again" tour. It will pick up in the United States July 9. Will Zayn find himself backstage for one of the dates? We can only hope. For now, fans continue to remember that each day is a new day, and time is supposed to heal all wounds.

Y'all want zayn to stay at home all day and eat ice cream while crying bc he left the band..oh wait that's what YOU do -- Zayn Malik (@kilamrnb) July 1, 2015 THIS IS SO SAD BC LIAM IS SO USED TO SINGING "YOU AND I" TO ZAYN BUT HE'S NOT THERE ANYMORE AND IM CRYING SO HARD

Question: Which pop group did Zayn Malik leave in March 2015?
Answer: ONE DIRECTION